Designated Bets: El Trafico and more

It’s that time of the week to fill our three open DB spots on the MLS Multiplex betting card. Let’s get stuck in. Odds presented by FanDuel. 

Designated Bet 1

The first game of the week, CF Montreal vs DC United, is also where we find our first bit of action on Saturday.

Wayne Rooney’s DC is a +275 dog in this away matchup against one of the league-worst teams, which has recently gotten even weaker.

The season was always going to be a struggle for Hernan Losada and his men. Montreal lost four major forces in last year’s surprising season: Coach Wilfried Nancy, Djordje Mihailovic, Kei Kamara, and Joaquín Torres have departed Saputo Stadium. On Wednesday, they traded their best defender, Kamal Miller, further weakening their defense, which has conceded a league-worst 16 goals. This is a Montreal side devoid of an identity unless you consider looking clueless as an identity or confidence.

DC is no world-beater, but they have much more quality and talent than their record suggests. Unfortunately, none of that has resulted in consistent cohesive performances.

Many current DC players will empathize with their counterparts, having experienced miserable form under Losada only a year ago. Losada could not stop the rot then, and I don’t believe in his ability to right the ship now. DC leaves Canada with at least a point to its name.

DC United Double Chance -130

Designated Bet 2

Let’s head on down to Frisco, Where FC Dallas welcomes reinvigorated Real Salt Lake. Coming off four consecutive losses, Salt Lake came out on top 3-1 against Charlotte FC last week while Dallas eked out a win in Miami.

Just like modesty in Texas, the good vibes are going to be gone for one of these teams after Saturday.

Winning on the road is one of the hardest things in MLS and Dallas has made good on defending their home. Over the last two seasons, Dallas has won 57% of home matches, overall achieving points in 81%.

Meanwhile, Salt Lake has lost 50% of road matches over that same time. A period they were significantly better at the beginning of.

With an in-form Jesus Ferreira and Alan Velasco, keeper Maarten Paes between the sticks, and a plethora of MLS veterans, Dallas has what it takes to claim all three points against a middling Salt Lake squad.

FC Dallas -140

Designated Bet 3

I have to include the biggest game of the week. It would be blasphemous not to as we get a return of Sunday MLS action.

El Trafico, inner-city rivals LAFC and LA Galaxy go head to head in a typically entertaining affair. This year should be no different, at least to one side.

MLS in Los Angeles is currently a Tale of Two Cities. LAFC, defending MLS champions have not missed a beat, so far cruising through the first six games of the season and remain unbeaten at 4-2-0. Twelves miles down the road, LA Galaxy has continued its transformation into the “little brother” in town. Largely in part to a non-existent offense. In six games, the Galaxy has scored just three times, vastly underperforming their 8.4 xG.

This lack of finishing gives me great hesitation in returning to the El Trafico over well, as the matchup has included at least three goals in 13 of 17 matchups, and both teams have failed to score just three times total. Just because the Galaxy has gone limp in front of goal doesn’t mean we have to stay out of the total market.

LAFC has gone over 1.5 goals in 10 of their last 11 games. With MVP candidate Denis Bouanga flying high at the moment, that streak figure should grow to 11 in 12. Expect LAFC to come in focused and ready to further demonstrate their grip on Los Angeles.

LAFC TT o1.5 -104